Systems and methods for insuring data over the internet

ABSTRACT

Systems and methods are provided which afford a technical application for insuring, bonding, and underwriting a transmission of a data set, streaming data, and/or document over the Internet through TCP/IP and all other electronic media such as WAP (wireless application protocol), VOIP (voice-over IP), fiber optic channels, microwave channels, and through standard electrical switches, electrical outlets and power lines. The present invention includes a computer readable medium having computer executable instruction to cause a system perform a method for insuring, bonding, and/or underwriting data transmission. The method includes enabling a first remote client coupled to a communications network to insure, bond, and/or underwrite a transmission of an electronic data set, streaming data, and/or document, with a selected coverage type for a selected coverage amount, from the first remote client to one or more second remote clients. The method further includes charging a fee to an appropriate account for the selected coverage type and amount.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application is a continuation under 35 USC 111(a) ofPCT/US00/18276 filed Jun. 30, 2000 (WO 01/18703), which claimed priorityfrom U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/153,475, filedSep. 10, 1999, which applications are incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates generally to the field ofinformation handling systems. More particularly, the present inventionrelates to systems and methods for insuring, bonding, and underwritingthe electronic transmission of data, streaming data, and/or documentsover the Internet.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The Internet has become a tremendous information resource tool.Even more, the Internet is a powerful agent that will transform the wayall business is transacted and the way nearly every product and serviceis created and sold. With countless websites, portals, and informationtransfer channels proliferating at an extremely rapid rate the abilityto hold the Internet users attention becomes critical. It is recognizedthat convenience and speed alone are not always enough. Today, theconsumer is demanding an added comfort level to know that use of theInternet for conducting business is secure and reliable. Internet userswho transact business over the Internet are very conscious of thesesecurity issues. In the field of on-line Internet transactions amultitude of manufacturing, retail, service companies includingfinancial and legal service industries, health care organizations,municipal organizations and the like are transmitting their importantdocuments over electronic communication channels. These Internet usersneed to know not only that their transmissions are received, butadditionally that these transmissions have not been mis-received,intercepted, interfered or tampered with by outside sources orunintended recipients.

[0004] For example, a research division of an automotive company maysend confidential engineering drawings for a new product to anothergroup of engineers at another remote site. The company wants to becertain that the drawings only arrive to the intended audience. For thispurpose, the company may also desire to insure that those drawings havebeen securely received for liability reasons. Similarly, health careindustries may desire to make a patient's confidential medical recordsaccessible to the patient on-line. However, to do so these health careindustries, and other service industries, will likely be subject toimpending government regulations regarding confidentiality and privacyissues which require that such information electronically transmittedthrough the Internet is secure. Such organizations will thus need ameans to insure themselves against liability in the event security isbreached.

[0005] One approach to affording confidentiality and privacy includesusing various commercially available security measures for theelectronic transmission of data, streaming data, and/or documents overthe Internet. One form of such includes encryption software. Anothersecurity form includes the use of compression software. Still anothersecurity form includes transmitting data over a fast optical portal,thus making the data more difficult to intercept.

[0006] Presently, not all Internet users who have to send sensitivematerial have access to the data security means described above. Oftenthe software packages and/or sophisticated networks necessary to providethe same are cost prohibitive, and in some instances require extensivein-house technical support. Even more, none of the above describedmechanisms provide any recourse for failure.

[0007] For the reasons stated above, and for other reasons which will beexplained and described below organizations and individuals conductingbusiness transactions and sending data, streaming data, and/or documentsover the Internet need to insure, bond, and underwrite the security ofthe transmission and receipt of the same without incurring significantadditional costs. A technical application involving systems and methodscapable of resolving this need does not currently exist. Creating suchsystems and methods represents a technical problem to be solved.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The present invention provides systems and methods for insuring,bonding, and underwriting the transmission and receipt of data,streaming data, and/or documents, such as in Internet businesstransactions, without incurring significant additional costs. Otherembodiments are similarly included which will be understood by one ofordinary skill in the art upon reading this disclosure.

[0009] One particular embodiment of the present invention includes, asystem for insuring, bonding, and underwriting, either independently orin any combination of the three, the electronic transmission of data,streaming data, and/or documents over a communications network. Thesystem includes a server and a remote client coupled to the server overa communications network. The system further includes software meansoperative on the server and the remote client. The software means isoperative on the server and the remote client for enabling a user at theremote client to electronically transmit data, streaming data, and/ordocuments, with a selected form of coverage, e.g. insuring, bonding,and/or underwriting, all three being independently optionable oroptionable in any combination thereof, from a first remote client to oneor more second remote clients. The software means is further operablefor charging an appropriate account a fee for the selected form ofcoverage.

[0010] One of ordinary skill in the art will further understand uponreading this disclosure that the system includes a computer readablemedium having computer executable instruction to cause the system toperform a method for insuring, bonding, and/or underwriting theelectronic transmission of data, streaming data, and/or documents, allthree being independently optionable or optionable in any combinationthereof. Thus, one method embodiment of the present invention includesenabling a first remote client coupled to a communications network toelectronically transmit data, streaming data, and/or documents, with aselected form of coverage, e.g. insuring, bonding, and/or underwriting,all three being independently optionable or optionable in anycombination thereof, from the first remote client to one or more secondremote clients. The method further includes charging an appropriateaccount a fee for the selected form of coverage.

[0011] These and other embodiments, aspects, advantages, and features ofthe present invention will be set forth in part in the description whichfollows, and in part will become apparent to those skilled in the art byreference to the following description of the invention and referenceddrawings or by practice of the invention. The aspects, advantages, andfeatures of the invention are realized and attained by means of theinstrumentalities, procedures, and combinations particularly pointed outin the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012]FIG. 1 is a diagram of a hardware and operating environment inconjunction with which embodiments of the invention may be practiced.

[0013]FIG. 2 is an illustration of one embodiment of a system accordingto the teachings of the present invention, which can be incorporatedinto a communications network including the Internet.

[0014]FIG. 3 is an illustration of another embodiment of a systemaccording to the teachings of the present invention, which can beincorporated into a communications network including the Internet.

[0015]FIG. 4 is an illustration of still another embodiment of a systemaccording to the teachings of the present invention, which can beincorporated into a communications network including the Internet.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0016] In the following detailed description, reference is made to theaccompanying drawings which form a part hereof, and in which is shown byway of illustration specific illustrative embodiments in which theinvention may be practiced. These embodiments are described insufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice theinvention, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may beutilized and that logical, mechanical and electrical changes may be madewithout departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in alimiting sense.

[0017]FIG. 1 is an overview diagram of a hardware and operatingenvironment in conjunction with which embodiments of the invention maybe practiced. The description of FIG. 1 is intended to provide a brief,general description of suitable computer hardware and a suitablecomputing environment in conjunction with which the invention may beimplemented. The invention is described in the general context ofcomputer-executable instructions, such as program modules, beingexecuted by a computer, such as a personal computer. Generally, programmodules include routines, programs, objects, components, datastructures, etc., that perform particular tasks or implement particularabstract data types.

[0018] Moreover, those skilled in the art will appreciate that theinvention may be practiced with other computer system configurations,including hand-held devices, multiprocessor systems,microprocessor-based or programmable consumer electronics, network PCS,minicomputers, mainframe computers, and the like. The invention may alsobe practiced in distributed computer environments where tasks areperformed by remote processing devices that are linked through acommunications network. In a distributed computing environment, programmodules may be located in both local and remote memory storage devices.

[0019] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, a hardware and operatingenvironment applicable to any of the servers and/or remote clients shownin FIGS. 2-4 is provided. As shown in FIG. 1, the hardware and operatingenvironment includes a general purpose computing device in the form of apersonal computer 20, or a server 20, including a processing unit 21, asystem memory 22, and a system bus 23 that operatively couples varioussystem components including the system memory 22 to the processing unit21. There may be only one or there may be more than one processing unit21, such that the processor of computer 20 comprises a singlecentral-processing unit (CPU), or a plurality of processing units,commonly referred to as a parallel processing environment. The computer20 may be a conventional computer, a distributed computer, or any othertype of computer; the invention is not so limited.

[0020] The system bus 23 can be any of several types of bus structuresincluding a memory bus or memory controller, a peripheral bus, and alocal bus using any of a variety of bus architectures. The system memorycan also be referred to as simply the memory, and includes read onlymemory (ROM) 24 and random access memory (RAM) 25, a basic input/outputsystem (BIOS) 26, containing the basic routines that help to transferinformation between elements within the computer 20, or a server 20,such as during start-up, may be stored in ROM 24. The computer 20, or aserver 20 further includes a hard disk drive 27 for reading from andwriting to a hard disk, not shown, a magnetic disk drive 28 for readingfrom or writing to a removable magnetic disk 29, and an optical diskdrive 30 for reading from or writing to a removable optical disk 31 suchas a CD ROM or other optical media.

[0021] The hard disk drive 27, magnetic disk drive 28, and optical diskdrive 30 couple with a hard disk drive interface 32, a magnetic diskdrive interface 33, and an optical disk drive interface 34,respectively. The drives and their associated computer-readable mediaprovide non volatile storage of computer-readable instructions, datastructures, program modules and other data for the computer 20, or aserver 20. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that anytype of computer-readable media which can store data that is accessibleby a computer, such as magnetic cassettes, flash memory cards, digitalvideo disks, Bernoulli cartridges, random access memories (RAMs), readonly memories (ROMs), redundant arrays of independent disks (e.g. RAIDstorage devices) and the like, can be used in the exemplary operatingenvironment.

[0022] A number of program modules can be stored on the hard disk,magnetic disk 29, optical disk 31, ROM 24, or RAM 25, including anoperating system 35, one or more application programs 36, other programmodules 37, and program data 38. A plug in containing a securitytransmission engine for the present invention can be resident on any oneor number of these computer-readable media.

[0023] A user may enter commands and information into the personalcomputer 20, or server 20 through input devices such as a keyboard 40and pointing device 42. Other input devices (not shown) can include amicrophone, joystick, game pad, satellite dish, scanner, or the like.These other input devices are often connected to the processing unit 21through a serial port interface 46 that is coupled to the system bus 23,but can be connected by other interfaces, such as a parallel port, gameport, or a universal serial bus (USB), a monitor 47 or other type ofdisplay device can also be connected to the system bus 23 via aninterface, such as a video adapter 48. The monitor 40 can display agraphical user interface for the user. In addition to the monitor 40,computers typically include other peripheral output devices (not shown),such as speakers and printers.

[0024] The computer 20, or server 20 may operate in a networkedenvironment using logical connections to one or more remote computers orservers, such as remote computer 49. These logical connections areachieved by a communication device coupled to or a part of the computer20, or server 20; the invention is not limited to a particular type ofcommunications device. The remote computer 49 can be another computer, aserver, a router, a network PC, a client, a peer device or other commonnetwork node, and typically includes many or all of the elementsdescribed above relative to the computer 20, or server 20, although onlya memory storage device 50 has been illustrated in FIG. 2. The logicalconnections depicted in FIG. 2 include a local area network (LAN) 51 anda wide area network (WAN) 52. Such networking environments arecommonplace in office networks, enterprise-wide computer networks,intranets and the Internet, which are all types of networks.

[0025] When used in a LAN-networking environment, the computer 20, orserver 20, is connected to the LAN 51 through a network interface oradapter 53, which is one type of communications device. When used in aWAN-networking environment, the computer 20, or server 20, typicallyincludes a modem 54, a type of communications device, or any other typeof communications device, e.g. a wireless transceiver, for establishingcommunications over the wide area network 52, such as the Internet; theinvention is not so limited. The modem 54, which may be internal orexternal, is connected to the system bus 23 via the serial portinterface 46. In a networked environment, program modules depictedrelative to the personal computer 20, or portions thereof, can be storedin the remote memory storage device 50 of remote computer, or server 49.It is appreciated that the network connections shown are exemplary andother means of, and communications devices for, establishing acommunications link between the computers may be used including hybridfiber-coax connections, T1-T3 lines, DSL's, OC-3 and/or OC-12, TCP/IP,microwave, WAP (wireless application protocol), and all other electronicmedia through standard switches, routers, outlets and power lines, asthe same are know and understood by one of ordinary skill in the art.The invention is not so limited.

[0026] The hardware and operating environment in conjunction with whichembodiments of the invention may be practiced has been described. Thecomputer 20, or server 20, in conjunction with which embodiments of theinvention can be practiced can be a conventional computer, a distributedcomputer, or any other type of computer; the invention is not solimited. Such a computer 20, or server 20, typically includes one ormore processing units as its processor, and a computer-readable mediumsuch as a memory. The computer 20, or server 20, can also include acommunications device such as a network adapter or a modem, so that itis able to communicatively couple to other computers, servers, ordevices.

[0027]FIG. 2 is an illustration of one embodiment of a system 200according to the teachings of the present invention, which can beincorporated into a communications network including the Internet. Forease of illustration, the system 200 is referred to herein as aninformation handling system 200. One of ordinary skill in the art willunderstand upon reading this disclosure that the same is not intended tobe limiting. The information handling system 200 includes a server 201including a processor coupled with a computer based storage device. Oneof ordinary skill in the art will understand upon reading thisdisclosure the various, commercially available servers which includesuch processor and memory means. In example, the processor coupled tothe computer based storage device may comprise part of a network systemserver. As shown in FIG. 2, the server 201 is accessible over a networkconnection by a remote client 204, e.g. client A, having a clientprogram or software means operable thereon and a graphical userinterface. Remote client 204 further couples to a recipient client 206,or target, e.g. client B, to whom remote client 204 intends toelectronically transmit a data set, streaming data, and/or document. Asone of ordinary skill in the art will understand upon reading thisdisclosure, remote client 204 is coupled to recipient client 206 over anetwork connection and can access remote client 206 via means such as auniversal resource locator (URL) address. In one embodiment, theinformation handling system 200 may be part of a larger network systemwhich is coupled to any number of remote/recipient clients over a localarea network (LAN), e.g. an Ethernet network. In an alternativeembodiment, the remote/recipient clients can be coupled to theinformation handling system 200 over a wide area network (WAN). Also theremote/recipient clients, 204 and 206 can be coupled to one another andthe server 201 in the information handling system 200 over the publicswitched telephone network (PSTN), over a WAP network, e.g. rf andsatellite microwave, over the Internet or any combination of the same.In this description, two remote clients are discussed, e.g. sendingremote client 204 and recipient client 206. However, one of ordinaryskill in the art will understand upon reading this disclosure thatsending client 204 can be coupled to one or more recipient remoteclients for transmitting to many remote clients at once versus strictlya one to one relationship.

[0028] The information handling system 200 can further include amainframe computer as the same are known and understood by one ofordinary skill in the art. The information handling system 200 includesa computer with a computer readable medium having computer executableinstructions to cause the computer to perform methods according to theteachings of the present invention. The computer readable medium andcomputer executable instructions include software for interpreting andexecuting the computer executable instructions. One of ordinary skill inthe art will understand the various programming languages and protocol,including object oriented programming and TCP/IP, that can be employedfor the same. The invention is not so limited. The information handlingsystem may further include network connections to printers and otherperipheral devices 208 as the same are known and understood by one ofordinary skill in the art.

[0029]FIG. 3 is an illustration of another embodiment of a system 300according to the teachings of the present invention, which can beincorporated into a communications network including the Internet. Theembodiment of system 300 is intended to incorporate a deliveryverification function of the present invention as described in moredetail below. For ease of illustration, the system 300 is again referredto herein as an information handling system 300. One of ordinary skillin the art will understand upon reading this disclosure that the same isnot intended to be limiting. The information handling system 300includes a server 301 including a processor coupled with a computerbased storage device. One of ordinary skill in the art will understandupon reading this disclosure the various, commercially available serverswhich include such processor and memory means. In example, the processorcoupled to the computer based storage device may comprise part of anetwork system server. As shown in FIG. 3, the server 301 is accessibleover a network connection by a remote client 304, e.g. client A, havinga client program or software means operable thereon and a graphical userinterface. Remote client 304 further couples to a recipient client 306,or target, e.g. client B, to whom remote client 304 intends toelectronically transmit a data set, streaming data, and/or document.Alternatively, as one of ordinary skill in the art will understand uponreading this disclosure, the remote client 304 can intend strictly tomake the data set, streaming data, and/or document(s) stored at remoteclient 304 accessible by remote client 306. As one of ordinary skill inthe art will understand upon reading this disclosure, remote client 304and remote client 306 are coupled to one another over a networkconnection and can access one another via address means, such as auniversal resource locator (URL) address. In one embodiment, theinformation handling system 300 may be part of a larger network systemwhich is coupled to any number of remote clients over a local areanetwork (LAN), e.g. an Ethernet network. In an alternative embodiment,the remote clients, can be coupled to the information handling system300 over a wide area network (WAN). Also the remote/recipient clients,304 and 306 can be coupled to one another and the server 301 in theinformation handling system 300 over the public switched telephonenetwork (PSTN), over a WAP network, e.g. rf and satellite microwave,over the Internet or any combination of the same. Again, in reference toFIG. 3, only two remote clients are discussed, e.g. sending remoteclient 304 and recipient client 306 in order to provide an easierillustration. However, one of ordinary skill in the art will understandupon reading this disclosure that sending client 304 can be coupled toone or more recipient remote clients for transmitting to many remoteclients at once versus strictly a one to one relationship.

[0030] The information handling system 300 can further include amainframe computer as the same are known and understood by one ofordinary skill in the art. The information handling system 300 includesa computer with a computer readable medium having computer executableinstructions to cause the computer to perform methods according to theteachings of the present invention. The computer readable medium andcomputer executable instructions include software for interpreting andexecuting the computer executable instructions. One of ordinary skill inthe art will understand the various programming languages and protocol,including object oriented programming and TCP/IP, that can be employedfor the same. The invention is not so limited. The information handlingsystem may further include network connections to printers and otherperipheral devices 308 as the same are known and understood by one ofordinary skill in the art.

[0031] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the peripheral devices 308coupled to server 301 are also accessible by remote client 306 over anetwork connection such that electronic data/documents can becommunicated to and/or between remote client 306 and the peripheraldevices 308 coupled to server 301. As one of ordinary skill in the artwill understand upon reading this disclosure, remote client 306 and theperipheral devices 308 coupled to server 301 can access one another viameans such as a universal resource locator (URL) address.

[0032]FIG. 4 is an illustration of yet another embodiment of a system400 according to the teachings of the present invention, which can beincorporated into a communications network including the Internet. Theembodiment of system 400 is intended to incorporate a duplication andreplication function of the present invention as described in moredetail below. For ease of illustration, the system 400 is again referredto herein as an information handling system 400. One of ordinary skillin the art will understand upon reading this disclosure that the same isnot intended to be limiting. The information handling system 400includes a server 401 including a processor coupled with a computerbased storage device. One of ordinary skill in the art will understandupon reading this disclosure the various, commercially available serverswhich include such processor and memory means. As shown in FIG. 4, theserver 401 is accessible over a network connection by a remote client404, e.g. client a, having a client program and a graphical userinterface. Remote client 404 further couples to another remote client406, or alternatively stated a recipient client 406, or target, e.g.client B, to whom remote client 404 intends to electronically transmit adata set, streaming data, and/or document. Alternatively, as one ofordinary skill in the art will understand upon reading this disclosure,the remote client 404 can intend strictly to make a set of data/documentstored at remote client 404 accessible by remote client 406. As one ofordinary skill in the art will understand upon reading this disclosure,remote client 404 and remote client 406 are coupled to one another overa network connection and can access one another via means such as auniversal resource locator (URL) address.

[0033] In one embodiment, the information handling system 400 may bepart of a larger network system which is coupled to any number of remoteclients over a local area network (LAN), e.g. an Ethernet network. In analternative embodiment, the remote clients, 404 and 406, as well asserver 401, can be coupled to one another in the information handlingsystem 400 over a wide area network (WAN). Also, the remote/recipientclients, 404 and 406 can be coupled to one another and the server 401 inthe information handling system 400 over the public switched telephonenetwork (PSTN), over a WAP network, e.g. rf and satellite microwave,over the Internet or any combination of the same. Again, in reference toFIG. 4, only two remote clients are discussed, e.g. sending remoteclient 404 and recipient client 406 in order to provide an easierillustration. However, one of ordinary skill in the art will understandupon reading this disclosure that sending client 404 can be coupled toone or more recipient remote clients for transmitting to many remoteclients at once versus strictly a one to one relationship. Theinformation handling system 400 with server 401 may further includenetwork connections from the server 401 to printers and other peripheraldevices 408 as the same are known and understood by one of ordinaryskill in the art.

[0034] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the peripheral devices 408coupled to server 401 are accessible by remote client 406 over a networkconnection such that electronic data/documents can be communicated toand/or between remote client 406 and the peripheral devices 408 coupledto server 401. As one of ordinary skill in the art will understand uponreading this disclosure, remote client 406 and the peripheral devices408 coupled to server 401 can access one another via means such as auniversal resource locator (URL) address.

[0035] As shown in FIG. 4, the server 401 may comprise part of a networksystem server which is coupled to additional servers, e.g. servers 410and 412. In one embodiment according to the teachings of the presentinvention, the server 401 and additional servers, 410 and 412, includesoftware which provides an appropriate security method for performingthe methods of the present invention. In one embodiment, the appropriatesecurity method can include passwords or key access accounts. In anotherembodiment, the appropriate security method can include data compressionsoftware. In another embodiment, the appropriate security method caninclude encryption software. In still another embodiment, theappropriate security method can include transmission through a networkincluding a fast optical portal. All of the above described can beemployed independently or in combination, the invention is not solimited. Thus, in one embodiment, by way of illustration and not by wayof limitation, the server 401 and additional servers, 410 and 412, caninclude a security transmission engine, such as a compression engine, asthe same are known and understood by one of ordinary skill in the art.Also, the information handling system 400 can further include amainframe computer as the same is known and understood by one ofordinary skill in the art.

[0036] In all the embodiments discussed above in connection with FIGS.2, 3, and 4, the information handling system 400 includes a computerwith a computer readable medium having computer executable instructionsto cause the computer to perform methods according to the teachings ofthe present invention. The computer readable medium and computerexecutable instructions include software for interpreting and executingthe computer executable instructions. The information handling system400 further includes software means operative on the system 400 toperform methods according to the teachings of the present invention. Thesoftware means includes a novel software program, including interfaceprotocols, for carrying out the methods of the present invention. Thenovel software program according to the teachings of the presentinvention will be executing on system 400. The software means can beresident on the server 401, or alternatively, the software means can beresident on any number of the storage devices, e.g. computer readablemedium, coupled in system 400.

[0037] One of ordinary skill in the art will understand the manner inwhich a software program can be launched from a computer readable mediumin a computer based system to execute the functions defined in thesoftware program. One of ordinary skill in the art will furtherunderstand the various programming languages which may be employed tocreate a software program designed to implement and perform the methodsof the present invention. In one embodiment, the application software isimplemented using object oriented programming, extended mark-up language(XML), hyper-text mark-up language (HTML) and the like. However, theteachings of the present invention are not limited to a system using theabove examples and no embodiment of the invention is limited to aparticular programming language or environment.

Methods according to the Present Invention

[0038] As explained in connection with FIGS. 1-4, the present inventionis implemented using computer based systems which have computer readablemedium for executing instructions from software means, e.g. programs,for carrying out the method embodiments described below. As one ofordinary skill in the art will understand upon reading this disclosure,the functions provided by such execution of such computer executableinstructions can be separated into various program modules stored on thecomputer readable medium. In one embodiment, a program module is definedas a software object executing on the computer based system.

[0039] In FIGS. 1-4, a system or network which includes a processor andstorage device has been presented, e.g. such as contained in one or moreservers. As one of ordinary skill in the art will understand uponreading this disclosure, the storage device includes a computer readablemedium having computer executable instructions. The computer readablemedium is not limited to the storage device, however, and canalternatively be a transportable computer medium in the form of a disk.The computer readable medium in the storage device, or on a disk, iscomprised of a number of databases having a number of databasestructures. One of ordinary skill in the art will understand uponreading this disclosure the manner in which numerous database structurescan be configured within one or more storage devices and networked tocommunicatively operate with one another and/or a processor.

[0040] According to one embodiment of the teachings of the presentinvention, at least one of the databases includes a database having adata structure which tracks a number of client accounts. Similarly, atleast one of the databases includes a data structure which maintains anumber of contractual relationships which define the business rules forperforming the methods of the present invention. These business rulescan include defined coverage relationships in which services can beseparated by categories. For example, according to the teachings of thepresent invention, the electronic transmission of data sets, streamingdata, and/or documents can be divided into groups such as; alltransmissions of a specific type (e.g. all medical records, purchaseorders, legal emails, etc.), all transmissions of a specific size, alltransmissions routed through a specific server, all transmissionsbetween a specific sender/receiver pair, all transmissions from aspecified sender, all transmissions to a specified receiver, or anycombination of the above. Thus, in one embodiment, this databaseincludes a client policy management data structure and is used forperforming a client policy management function. The database can furtherbe defined as performing a client relationship management function. Thesystems and methods of the present invention can further accommodatetransmissions which do not fall into a predetermined contractualrelationship. Thus, for transmissions which do not fall into a categorydefined by the contractual relationship, the systems and methods canprovide a select coverage rider. The same can be optionally selectedusing the novel software of the systems and methods of the presentinvention. It is noted that the services afforded by the systems andmethods of the present invention do not require a pre-definedcontractual relationship in one of the database structures and that thesystems and methods can be used on an ad-hoc basis. However, if such apre-defined contractual relationship exists in a database of the novelsystems, the business rules will be transparent to a user performing atransmission from one remote client to another remote client. In thisscenario, the systems and methods, including the novel programconfiguration, will automatically perform the methods of the presentinvention without additional user input.

[0041] According to one embodiment of the systems and methods of thepresent invention, at least one database maintains a logging datastructure for tracking all transmissions of data sets, streaming data,and/or documents. According to the systems and methods of the presentinvention, this database maintains a data structure against which alltransmission can be verified as transmitted and received or notreceived. In this manner, this database of the present inventionfacilitates authenticating the submission of claims covered according tothe insuring, bonding, and underwriting aspects of the presentinvention. In one embodiment, the logging data structure contains onlyinformation, such as a header, relating to the transmission and not thedata set, streaming data, and/or documents themselves. At least onedatabase maintains a data structure for tracking a claim submissionprocess, and keeps records of all claims for maintaining the integrityof the systems and methods of the insuring, bonding, and underwritingaspects of the present invention. As one of ordinary skill in the artwill understand upon reading this disclosure, these databases thus canfacilitate data reporting, including statutory reporting, required forthe systems and methods of the present invention.

[0042] In one embodiment another database, according to the systems andmethods of the present invention, includes a marketing, product, andsales management data structure for identifying, analyzing, and trackingpotential and previous product sales under the present invention. Itfurther provides a mechanism to provide point of sale support, managesales campaigns and authority to sell, manage sales incentives andcommissions, analyze sales markets and channels, and analyze salesperformance. Using the novel software of the present invention, thesedatabase tools can be used to track client or customer relatedactivities, analyze client product usage, and analyze profitabilityunder the systems and methods of the present invention. According to theteachings of the present invention, the product is defined herein as theservices offered by the systems and methods of the present invention.Also, at least one database includes a financial data structure fortracking all of the business financial processes associated with theinsuring, bonding, and underwriting aspects of the present invention.This database thus includes a set of back office software applicationsfor supporting financial accounting functions such as; general leger(G/L), accounts receivable (A/R), and accounts payable (A/P). Automatedinterfaces exist between the same and all other processes according tothe systems and methods of the present invention. The database andsoftware applications can further provide asset and liability managementas well as capital reserves management.

[0043] The systems and methods of the present invention can support anumber of invoicing configurations dependent upon a given clientrelationship and the services being used. These invoicing configurationsinclude a per usage charge, e.g a charge being calculated by varioustransmission factors such as size, dollar, liability amount, etc. Theycan also include a flat periodic fee charge, a periodic fee plusadditional charge when a number of transmissions and their configurationexceed set values. They can include a periodic fee plus additionalcharges for specific types of usage, periodic fees minus reimbursementfor unused services. Additionally, the A/R can provide an interface to asales commission process for the product. And, the A/R will provide theinterfaces needed to update other back office systems according to theteachings of the present invention, e.g. the G/L and A/P.

[0044] The following definitions are provided for purposes of explainingthe methods of the present invention. As used herein, the insuring ofelectronic transmissions for data, streaming data, and documentsincludes systems and methods for providing an insurance coverage amountpayable as an A/P in the event that such information transmitted fromone remote client to another remote client, using the systems andmethods of the present invention, is not received, e.g. the transmissionfails. This function can be preempted by the systems and methods of thepresent invention when a reason for failure is included as an exclusionbased on the contractual relationship as defined by the business rulesfor the particular transmission. For example, the systems and methodscan operate according to the business rules such that a payable is notallocated from the A/P if and when the failure occurs due to operatorerror at the sending remote client or the receiving remote client. Asone of ordinary skill in the art will understand upon reading thisdisclosure, the systems and methods of the present invention can use thelogging data structure for tracking all transmissions of data sets,streaming data, and/or documents to verify whether the transmission wasactually received. Those same events can be recorded in the loggingdatabase structure. Further, the systems and methods of the presentinvention may have optionality built in to perform a number of resendattempts upon an initial failure. That same optionality can be builtinto and defined within the business rules data structure of the presentinvention.

[0045] Further, the systems and methods of the present invention canprovide functionality for defining a specific insurance coverage amount,by category, according to the business rules data structure of thepresent invention. Alternatively, the systems and methods of the presentinvention, can provide the optionality for a user at a remote client toselect a desired insurance coverage amount on a per transmission basis.Additional optionality can be combined with the insuring embodiment ofthe present invention, as the same is described below. In oneembodiment, this can include delivery verification to the sending remoteclient and/or additional security measures discussed below. In oneembodiment, the systems and methods of the present invention can assessan additional charge to a user at the sending remote client for thelogging capability of the logging database structure. One of ordinaryskill in the art will understand that all of this describedfunctionality can be contained within the computer based systemdescribed in connection with FIG. 1.

[0046] As used herein, the bonding of electronic transmissions for data,streaming data, and documents includes systems and methods for providinga bonding coverage amount payable as an A/P in the event that suchinformation transmitted from one remote client to another remote client,using the systems and methods of the present invention, is not received,e.g. the transmission fails. Again, this function can be preempted bythe systems and methods of the present invention when a reason forfailure is included as an exclusion based on the contractualrelationship as defined by the business rules for the particulartransmission as described above. As one of ordinary skill in the artwill understand upon reading this disclosure, the systems and methods ofthe present invention use the logging data structure for tracking alltransmissions of data sets, streaming data, and/or documents to verifywhether the transmission was actually received. As before, the systemsand methods of the present invention may have optionality built in toperform a number of resend attempts upon an initial failure. That sameoptionality can be built into and defined within the business rules datastructure of the present invention. Similarly, the systems and methodsof the present invention can provide functionality for defining aspecific bond coverage amount, by category, according to the businessrules data structure of the present invention. Alternatively, thesystems and methods of the present invention, can provide theoptionality for a user at a remote client to select a desired bondcoverage amount on a per transmission basis. According to the teachingsof the present invention, the financial database structure of thepresent invention tracks and allocates sufficient funds to back theselected bond coverage amount.

[0047] Additional optionality can be combined with the bondingembodiment of the present invention, as the same is described below. Inone embodiment, this can include delivery verification to the sendingremote client and/or additional security measures discussed below. Inone embodiment, the systems and methods of the present invention canassess an additional charge to a user at the sending remote client forthe logging capability of the logging database structure. One ofordinary skill in the art will understand that all of this describedfunctionality can be contained within the computer based systemdescribed in connection with FIG. 1.

[0048] As used herein, the underwriting of electronic transmissions fordata, streaming data, and documents includes systems and methods forproviding an underwriting coverage amount payable as an A/P in the eventthat such information transmitted from one remote client to anotherremote client, using the systems and methods of the present invention,is not received, e.g. the transmission fails. Again, this function canbe preempted by the systems and methods of the present invention when areason for failure is included as an exclusion based on the contractualrelationship as defined by the business rules for the particulartransmission as described above. As one of ordinary skill in the artwill understand upon reading this disclosure, the systems and methods ofthe present invention use the logging data structure for tracking alltransmissions of data sets, streaming data, and/or documents to verifywhether the transmission was actually received. Further, the systems andmethods of the present invention may have optionality built in toperform a number of resend attempts upon an initial failure. That sameoptionality can be built into and defined within the business rules datastructure of the present invention. Similarly, the systems and methodsof the present invention can provide functionality for defining aspecific underwriting coverage amount, by category, according to thebusiness rules data structure of the present invention. Alternatively,the systems and methods of the present invention, can provide theoptionality for a user at a remote client to select a desiredunderwriting coverage amount on a per transmission basis. Additionaloptionality can be combined with the insuring embodiment of the presentinvention, as the same is described below. In one embodiment, this caninclude delivery verification to the sending remote client and/oradditional security measures discussed below. In one embodiment, thesystems and methods of the present invention can assess an additionalcharge to a user at the sending remote client for the logging capabilityof the logging database structure. One of ordinary skill in the art willunderstand that all of this described functionality can be containedwithin the computer based system described in connection with FIG. 1.

[0049] The definitions above have referred to an event of transmissionfailure. However, one of ordinary skill in the art will understand uponreading this disclosure that the above definitions defining functionalmethods of the present invention can operate is a similar fashion forevents where the transmission has been mis-received, intercepted,interfered or tampered with by outside sources or unintended recipients.

[0050] The computer executable instructions on the computer readablemedium include one or more software programs. One of ordinary skill inthe art will further understand the various programming languages, suchas object oriented programming and the like, which can be used to createthe one or more programs. The invention is not so limited. Neither isthe present invention limited to a specific set of protocols. One ofordinary skill in the art will understand upon reading this disclosure,the various number of protocols which can be employed in the system ornetwork of the present invention to perform the methods described in thepresent invention. The processor can execute the computer readableinstructions contained in the described computer readable medium toperform the methods of the present invention. The following includeembodiments of the present invention employing a computer readablemedium having computer readable instruction for performing a method forinsuring, bonding, and underwriting the electronic transmission of datasets, streaming data, and documents over the Internet.

[0051] These embodiments of the present invention include systems andmethods for insuring, bonding, and underwriting the transmission ofdocuments and data, including streaming data, over the Internet throughTCP/IP and all other electronic media such as WAP (wireless applicationprotocol), VOIP (voice-over IP), fiber optic channels, microwavechannels, and through standard electrical switches, electrical outlets,powerlines, etc. These embodiments further include methods forfacilitating electronic commerce and providing associated individual andorganizational services. The scope of the present invention includesother method embodiments which will be understood by one of ordinaryskill in the art upon reading this disclosure.

[0052] In particular, one such additional method embodiment includesnovel software including a number of program modules or componentslocated on a server within the system for creating and populating acontractual relationship database for a particular client. In otherwords, in one embodiment, the systems and methods provide for thecreation and management of a particular policy and policy management fora particular client. One of ordinary skill in the art will understandupon reading this disclosure that the various embodiments include novelsoftware including a number of program modules or components located onthe computer based system or network of the present invention, e.g.servers, sending remote clients, and receiving remote clients, forfacilitating the methods of the present invention.

[0053] The system explained in connection with FIGS. 1-4, comprises aserver having a processor, a storage device coupled to the processor,and software means operative on the processor, e.g. system collectively.In other words, the invention includes a program stored on a computerreadable medium, such as the storage device. The program includescomputer executable instructions which can be operated on by theprocessor. The system more broadly includes the server, connectivelycoupled to remote clients having client programs, and additional serversand systems, with the software means, e.g. software program executing onthe system. The software program will enable the methods describedbelow.

[0054] One method embodiment of the present invention is explained inreference to FIG. 2. This method embodiment employs the software meansoperating on the system to enable a user at a remote client to insure,bond, and/or underwrite the transmission of any electronic data,including streaming data, or any electronic document over acommunication network, e.g. rf, satellite, the Internet or acommunication network including a combination thereof. According to theteachings of this embodiment the software means operating on the systeminsures, bonds and underwrites the transmission of all data, includingstreaming data, and all electronic documents for a fee based on a user'sselected coverage type and for a selected coverage amount from a firstremote client to a second remote client. According to the teachings ofthe present invention, the user is charged a fee for the service of thesystems and methods of the present invention.

[0055] According to the teachings of the present invention, a selectedcoverage can include using the systems and methods of the presentinvention solely to insure a transmission of a data set, includingstreaming data, or a document. According to the teachings of the presentinvention, a selected coverage can include using the systems and methodsof the present invention solely to bond a transmission of a data set,including streaming data, or a document. According to the teachings ofthe present invention, a selected coverage can include using the systemsand methods of the present invention solely to underwrite a transmissionof a data set, including streaming data, or a document. And, accordingto the teachings of the present invention, a selected coverage caninclude using the systems and methods of the present invention toperform any combination of the above listed functions in relation to atransmission of a data set, including streaming data, or a document. Thesystems and methods of the present invention thus include a novelprogram which optionally provides a function or number of functionschosen as the selected coverage, and applies an appropriate fee for theselected coverage to an appropriate account, an identified account, aspecified account, a designated account, etc.

[0056] For example, in one embodiment, the software means operating onthe system can use an insurance application script, unique tracking ID,or insured transmission mechanism designed to automatically attach alicense for registration and insurance purposes to a user's electronicdata set, including streaming data, or a document sent from a remoteclient to another remote client. According to the teachings of thepresent invention. The insured transmission mechanism, which is usedequally for the insuring, bonding, and underwriting embodiments,identifies a transmission as insured, bonded, and/or underwritten, andcontains tracking and security components as defined by the businessrules in the business rules database structure for a particulartransmission. In effect, the insurance application script is used totrack the transmission of the data set, streaming data, or document toan intended destination at a remote client as well as to apply anappropriate fee for the selected coverage to an appropriate account. Theinsured transmission mechanism is integral with all of the programmodules and software/protocols of the system for the present invention.

[0057] According to the teachings of this method embodiment, a user at aremote client having a client program addresses the system server, asdescribed in FIG. 2, over a communication network. For example, the userat the remote client having a client program can address the systemserver, e.g. using a URL address or generally accessing a website forthe server over the Internet. Using the system and methods of thepresent invention, the user at a remote client having a client programcan then electronically transmit a signal over the communication networkrepresenting a request that an identified data set, streaming data set,or an identified document be transmitted to a designated destination,e.g. another remote client. In one embodiment, transmitting a signalrepresenting a request accesses an online insurance, bonding, orunderwriting document which includes an electronic account form.According to the teachings of the present invention, the method includeshaving the user complete an electronic account form using the softwaremeans and/or client program. In this embodiment, the user includes datawhich represent a location of the remote client and an address to whichan identified data set, streaming data set, or an identified document isto be transmitted. Using the systems and methods of the presentinvention, a selected coverage is chosen, e.g. insurance, bonding,underwriting, or any combination of the same as described above. Forexample, in one embodiment, an identified data set, streaming data set,or an identified document is insured and bonded for transmission overthe Internet. Also, in this embodiment, data is entered into a set offields on the electronic account form such that the user at the remoteclient uses the software means and the client program to select anamount of coverage per coverage type, e.g. insuring, bonding, and/orunderwriting. According to the teachings of the present invention, thesystems and methods include optionality for selecting different amountsof coverage within each selected coverage type in order to coverdifferent subsets of the data set(s), streaming data, and/or documentsbeing transmitted. Again, according to the systems and methods of thepresent invention, the business rules can define the same.

[0058] According to the teachings of this method embodiment,transmission of the document is a permission activated event such thatonce the user at the remote client submits data representing theelectronic data set, streaming data, or document to be transmitted toanother remote client, the transmission is authorized and the softwaremeans provides the insuring, bonding, and/or underwriting, depending onthe selected coverage, and assesses a fee to an appropriate account ofthe user at the remote client, or a designated account, e.g. sending aclient fee.

[0059] As one of ordinary skill in the art will understand upon readingthis disclosure, the above described method of accessing an electronicform is not required where the contractual relationship database alreadycontains defined business rules for transmissions from that particularclient. In this scenario, the electronic form is transparent to a userat the remote client. However, a user at the remote client can stillaccess the same, using the novel software of the present invention forpurposes of augmenting or amending a set of specifics relating to aparticular transmission, e.g. obtaining a select coverage rider.

[0060] Another method embodiment of the present invention is explainedin reference to FIG. 3. This method embodiment employs the softwaremeans operating on the system to enable a user at a remote client toinsure and certify the transmission of any data set, streaming data, orelectronic document over a communication network, e.g. a communicationnetwork including rf, satellite, the Internet or any combinationthereof. According to this embodiment, the term certify is intended toinclude a delivery verification. According to the teachings of thisembodiment the software means operating on the system insures, bonds,underwrites and verifies delivery for the transmission of all data sets,streaming data, or electronic documents for a fee based on a user'sselected/desired coverage. Again, the user is charged a fee upon thetransmission of the insured, bonded and/or underwritten data sets,streaming data, or electronic documents. For example, the software meansoperating on the system can use an insurance application script designedto automatically attach a license for registration and insurancepurposes to a user's electronic data set, streaming data, or documentsent from a remote client as the same has been described in more detailabove. The insurance application script includes the same as describedabove and similarly referred to as the insured transmission mechanism.However, in this embodiment in addition to the functionality describedabove, the software means operating on the system electronicallytransmits a delivery verification as data representing a successfultransmission of the data set, streaming data, or document to an intendedrecipient at another remote client. In one embodiment, the deliveryverification can be termed as a return receipt, however, the presentinvention is not so limited. In other words, the delivery verificationprovided by the systems and methods of the present invention can consistof more than a return receipt notice.

[0061] In this embodiment as shown in FIG. 3, the software meanselectronically communicates an automatic-reply over a communicationsnetwork back to the system server for a delivery verification. One ofordinary skill in the art will understand upon reading this disclosure,that the same delivery verification can be stored in the loggingdatabase structure described above using the systems and methods of thepresent invention. In one embodiment, by way of example and not by wayof limitation, the delivery verification can be termed a certified orcertification verification. An account of the sending user/remoteclient, or other appropriate account, charged a fee upon thetransmission of the insured, bonded and/or underwritten data sets,streaming data, or electronic documents. In this embodiment, the sendinguser/remote client is electronically provided over the communicationnetwork with a delivery verification. Again, in one embodiment by way ofexample and not by way of limitation the delivery verification mayinclude a return receipt.

[0062] According to the teachings of this method embodiment, a user at aremote client having a client program addresses the system server, asdescribed in FIG. 3, over a communication network. For example, the userat the remote client having a client program can address the systemserver, e.g. using a URL address or generally accessing the website forthe server over the Internet. The user at a remote client having aclient program then electronically transmits data over the communicationnetwork representing a request that a user data set, streaming data,and/or document be insured, bonded, and/or underwritten for transmissionover the Internet. In one embodiment, the method includes having theuser complete an on-line electronic form using the software means and/orclient program. In one embodiment, the completing the on-line electronicform includes creating an on-line insurance policy. According to theteachings of the present invention, the on-line electronic form includesa number of data fields for entering information. In one embodiment, theon-line electronic form includes an electronic account form whichfurther includes a number of data fields for entering information for anappropriate account. In one embodiment, the on-line electronic formincludes a number of linked web pages which have a number of data fieldsfor entering information. In one embodiment, one or more of the numberof linked web pages can include an example or a template, or optionalityfor creating an on-line insurance policy. In one embodiment, one or moreof the number of linked web pages can include an electronic account formhaving a number of data fields for entering information for anappropriate account. In one embodiment, a user at a remote client caninclude data which represent a location, e.g. URL address, of the remoteclient and an address, e.g. another URL address, for another remoteclient to which a data set, streaming data, and/or document is to betransmitted. In one embodiment, a user at the remote client uses thesoftware means and client program to select an amount of coverage percoverage type, e.g. insuring, bonding, and/or underwriting, as describedherein. According to the teachings of the present invention, the systemsand methods include optionality for selecting different amounts ofcoverage within each selected coverage type in order to cover differentsubsets of the data set(s), streaming data, and/or documents beingtransmitted. For example, a user can define that all medical recordstransmitted from the remote client be insured for a coverage amount of$300 per transmission, and that all X-rays transmitted from the remoteclient be insured for a coverage amount of $500 per transmission. Again,according to the systems and methods of the present invention, thebusiness rules can define the same.

[0063] According to the teachings of this method embodiment, the user atthe sending remote client can electronically transmit data representinga request for a delivery verification. In one example, by way ofillustration and not by way of limitation the delivery verification isin the form of an electronic return receipt. However, according to theteachings of the present invention, the delivery verification caninclude electronic data and information beyond a return receiptnotification. That is, according to the teachings and methods of thepresent invention, the systems and methods can provide a wide variety ofdata and information back to the sending remote client based on a numberof delivery verification request formats optioned by the sending remoteclient using the program of the present invention. In one embodiment,the user at the remote client having a client program can electronicallytransmit data representing a delivery verification request format byactivating a data field on the electronic form. Again, according to theteachings of the present invention, the delivery verification requestformat can include a request for a detailed set of delivery verificationinformation, or alternatively, can include a request for an electronicreturn receipt. The invention is not so limited. When the deliveryverification request step is performed, or selected by the user usingthe systems and methods of the present invention, the software means, orprogram activates an automatic tracking software application for thedata set, streaming data, and/or document to be transmitted.

[0064] According to the teachings of this method embodiment,transmission of the document is a permission activated event such thatonce the user at the remote client submits data representing theelectronic data set, streaming data, and/or document to be transmittedto another remote client, the transmission is authorized and thesoftware means, or program provides the selected coverage and selectedcoverage amount and assesses or charges a fee to an appropriate accountupon transmission of the data set, streaming data, and/or document, asthe same has been described above. In this embodiment, the softwaremeans will generate a delivery verification and electronically providethe delivery verification to the sending user/remote client over thecommunication network.

[0065] As one of ordinary skill in the art will understand upon readingthis disclosure, the above described method of accessing an electronicform is not required where the contractual relationship database alreadycontains defined business rules for transmissions from that particularclient. In this scenario, the electronic form is transparent to a userat the remote client. However, a user at the remote client can stillaccess the same, using the novel software of the present invention forpurposes of augmenting or amending a set of specifics relating to aparticular transmission, e.g. obtaining a select coverage rider.

[0066] Another method embodiment of the present invention is explainedin reference to FIG. 4. This method embodiment employs the softwaremeans, or program, operating on the system to enable a user at a remoteclient to insure, bond, and underwrite the transmission of anyelectronic data set, streaming data, and/or document over acommunication network, e.g. a communication network including rf,satellite, and Internet connections or any combination of the same.However, this embodiment incorporates additional security optionality asdiscussed and described above. In other words, FIG. 4 illustrates aduplication and replication embodiment for a transmission using thesystems and methods of the present invention. According to the teachingsof this embodiment, the software means operating on the system insures,bonds, and/or underwrites the transmission of all electronic data sets,streaming data, and/or documents for a fee based on a user'sselected/desired coverage. As described in detail above, the user ischarged a fee for transmission of the insured, bonded and underwrittendata set, streaming data, and/or document based on the selected coveragetype and a selected an amount. As mentioned above, according to theteachings of the present invention, the systems and methods includeoptionality for selecting different amounts of coverage within eachselected coverage type in order to cover different subsets of the dataset(s), streaming data, and/or documents being transmitted. Thus,according to the teachings of the present invention, the systems andmethods are operable for sending data sets, streaming data, and/ordocuments which are insured over a range of insurance amounts. That is,the transmission of the data set, streaming data, and/or document canincludes a first portion of the data set, streaming data, and/ordocument insured at a first insurance amount and another portion insuredat a second insurance amount and so forth. For example, a user candefine that all medical records transmitted from the remote client beinsured for a coverage amount of $300 per transmission, and that allX-rays transmitted from the remote client be insured for a coverageamount of $500 per transmission. The invention is not so limited. Inthese instances, the software means operating on the system uses anappropriate insurance application script, as described above, designedto automatically attach a license for registration and insurancepurposes to a user's electronic data set, streaming data, and/ordocument sent from a remote client. The appropriate insuranceapplication script, or insured transmission script accounts for thevarious insurance amounts. Again, according to the systems and methodsof the present invention, the business rules can define the same.

[0067] Further, as explained in detail above in other embodiments, thesoftware means operating on the system also can provide deliveryverification. In one embodiment, the software means operating on thesystem provides an insured delivery verification. In one embodiment, thesoftware means operating on the system provides a bonded deliveryverification. In another embodiment, the software means operating on thesystem provides an underwritten delivery verification. That is thesoftware means operating on the novel system can electronically transmitdata representing the successful transmission of the data set, streamingdata, and/or document to an intended recipient at another remote clientas a delivery verification. As shown in FIG. 4, the software means canelectronically communicate an automatic-reply over a communicationsnetwork back to the system server for verification. In one embodiment,by way of example and not by way of limitation, the system serverperforms an initial delivery verification. In one embodiment, accordingto the teachings of the present invention, this delivery verificationperformed by the system server can be termed a certificationverification. An account of the sending user/remote client is charged afee upon transmission of the insured, bonded, and/or underwritten dataset, streaming data, and/or document. And, as described above, thesending remote client is electronically provided with a deliveryverification over the communication network.

[0068] According to the teachings of this method embodiment, a user at aremote client having a client program addresses the system server, asdescribed in FIG. 4, over a communication network. For example, the userat the remote client having a client program can address the systemserver, e.g. using a URL address or generally accessing a website forthe server over the Internet. The user at a remote client having aclient program can then electronically transmit data over thecommunication network representing a request that a user document beinsured and bonded for transmission over the Internet. In oneembodiment, the method includes having the user complete an electronicform using the software means and/or client program. The electronic formincludes the electronic form as discussed and described in detail above.In this embodiment, the user includes data which represent a location ofthe sending remote client and an address of a recipient remote client towhich the document is to be transmitted. In one embodiment, the user atthe remote client uses the software means and client program to selectan amount, or first amount, of insurance coverage for the documenttransmittal. As explained in detail above, a range of, and multiple,insurance amounts can be selected using the systems and methods of thepresent invention.

[0069] Again, as explained above, the method of accessing an electronicform and entering data specific to locations of the sending andrecipient client is not required where the contractual relationshipdatabase already contains defined business rules for transmissions fromthat particular client. In this scenario, the electronic form istransparent to a user at the remote client. However, a user at theremote client can still access the same, using the novel software of thepresent invention for purposes of augmenting or amending a set ofspecifics relating to a particular transmission, e.g. obtaining a selectcoverage rider.

[0070] In the embodiment of FIG. 4, the systems and methods of thepresent invention employ additional functionality for duplication andreplication of the transmission of the data set, streaming data, and/ordocument to an intended recipient at another remote client. In oneembodiment using the systems and methods of the present invention, theuser at the remote client can even use the software means to select howlong the data set, streaming data, and/or document may reside at therecipient remote client's location. Additionally, in one embodimentusing the systems and methods of the present invention, the user at theremote client can use the software means to select a set of additionalsecurity measures, e.g. compression, encryption, fast optical portals,etc., as described in detail above. That is in one embodiment, by way ofexample and not by way of limitation, the data set, streaming data,and/or document is secured using the software means and a securitytransmission engine, such as a compression engine. The embodiment shownin FIG. 4 employs the duplication and replication methodology availablein the systems and methods of the present invention, e.g. capabilitiescontained in servers 410 and 412. The invention, however, is not solimited and other appropriate security measures can be selected usingthe systems and methods of the present invention, as one of ordinaryskill in the art will understand the same upon reading this disclosure.

[0071] As mentioned above, according to the teachings of this methodembodiment, other functionality of offering the user at the sendingremote client the ability to electronically transmit data representing areturn receipt request is still present in the embodiment of FIG. 4. Butin addition, in the embodiment of FIG. 4, the user at the remote clienthaving a client program can electronically transmit data representing arequest to secure the data set, streaming data, and/or document byactivating a data field on the electronic form. The software means canprovide the user at the remote client with a number of reasons, e.g. anadvice notification, listing why the user at the remote client may wantto secure the data set, streaming data, and/or document based. As one ofordinary skill in the art will understand upon reading this disclosure,the program according to the systems and methods of the presentinvention can tailor the advice notification responsive to a type or aclass of the data set, streaming data, and/or document which is to betransmitted. Once the data set, streaming data, and/or document issecured, using the systems and methods of the present invention, theuser may further electronically transmit data representing a request tocreate a copy of the data set, streaming data, and/or document, usingthe software means, for storage on the a server network, e.g. an archiveserver, by activating a data field on the electronic form. According tothe teachings of the present invention, the method can includeexchanging the data set, streaming data, and/or document with thearchive server through an exchange server as part of the server network.

[0072] According to the teachings of this method embodiment, the user atthe sending remote client can electronically transmit data representinga delivery verification request. In one embodiment, the user at theremote client having a client program can electronically transmit datarepresenting a delivery verification request by activating a data fieldon the electronic form. When this step is performed by the user, thesoftware means activates an automatic tracking software application forthe data set, streaming data, and/or document to be transmitted.

[0073] According to the teachings of this method embodiment,transmission of the document is permission activated such that once theuser at the remote submits data representing the electronic data set,streaming data, and/or document to be transmitted to another remoteclient, the transmission is authorized and the software means providesthe insurance, bonding, and/or underwriting coverage and assesses orcharges a fee to the user at the sending remote client, e.g. a sendingclient fee, as the same has been described above.

[0074] According to the teachings of this method embodiment, thesoftware means operating on the system further allows the recipientremote client to electronically access the document from the systemserver network, e.g. servers 410 and 412, using a file access key if therecipient remote client is unable to open the electronic documentinitially at their location. An example of a file access key includes auser name and password, or unique identifier. Also, in this embodiment,the software means is operable for copying and exchanging the documentthrough an exchange server, e.g. servers 410 and 412, to the networksystem server when the electronic document is transmitted or sent.

Conclusion

[0075] Thus, systems and methods have been provided which provide atechnical application for insuring, bonding, and underwriting atransmission of a data set, streaming data, and/or document over theInternet through TCP/IP and all other electronic media such as WAP(wireless application protocol), VOIP (voice-over IP), fiber opticchannels, microwave channels, and through standard electrical switches,electrical outlets and power lines. The technical application of thepresent invention fills a technical need which has not been heretoforemet. The present invention includes a computer readable medium havingcomputer executable instruction to cause a system perform a method forinsuring, bonding, and/or underwriting data transmission. The methodincludes enabling a first remote client coupled to a communicationsnetwork to insure, bond, and/or underwrite a transmission of anelectronic data set, streaming data, and/or document, with a selectedcoverage type for a selected coverage amount, from the first remoteclient to one or more second remote clients. The method further includescharging a fee to an appropriate account for the selected coverage typeand coverage amount. Thus, the systems and methods of the presentinvention include a technical application which provides a solution tothe heretofore unresolved problem of insuring, bonding, and/orunderwriting transmission of data sets, streaming data, and/or documentsover the Internet.

We claim:
 1. A system for transmitting data over a communicationsnetwork, comprising: a server; a number of remote clients coupled to theserver over the communications network; and software means operative onthe server and the remote client for: enabling a user at a first remoteclient to transmit an electronic data set, a streaming data set, and/oran electronic document from the first remote client to one or moresecond remote clients, wherein a transmission of the electronic dataset, the streaming data set, and/or the electronic document includes aninsured transmission mechanism defining a selected coverage type and aselected coverage amount; and charging an appropriate account a fee forthe defined selected coverage type having the selected coverage amount.2. The system of claim 1, wherein the communications network includes anInternet network.
 3. The system of claim 1, wherein the selectedcoverage type includes a selected coverage type for insuring thetransmission of the electronic data set, the streaming data set, and/orthe electronic document with a selected coverage amount.
 4. The systemof claim 1, wherein the selected coverage type includes a selectedcoverage type for bonding the transmission of the electronic data set,the streaming data set, and/or the electronic document with a selectedcoverage amount.
 5. The system of claim 1, wherein the selected coveragetype includes a selected coverage type for underwriting the transmissionof the electronic data set, the streaming data set, and/or theelectronic document with a selected coverage amount.
 6. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the software means operative on the server and theremote client is further operable for providing a delivery verificationto the server.
 7. The system of claim 1, wherein the software meansoperative on the server allows the user at the first remote client toaccess, on-line, a website on the server and to optionally select acoverage type and a selected coverage amount for a transmission of theelectronic data set, the streaming data set, and/or the electronicdocument by entering data into a defined set of data fields within anumber of linked web pages.
 8. The system of claim 7, wherein the dataentered in the defined set of data fields within the number of linkedweb pages defines a set of business rules or a contractual relationshipfor the transmission and is stored as a data structure in a businessrules database.
 9. A system for transmitting data over a communicationsnetwork including the Internet, comprising: a server; a number of remoteclients coupled to the server over the communications network; andsoftware means operative on the server and the remote client for:enabling a user at a first remote client to transmit an electronic dataset, a streaming data set, and/or an electronic document from the firstremote client to one or more second remote clients, wherein atransmission of the electronic data set, the streaming data set, and/orthe electronic document includes an insured transmission mechanismdefining a selected coverage type and a selected coverage amount for thetransmission, wherein the selected coverage type includes insuring thetransmission, bonding the transmission, and/or underwriting thetransmission; and charging an appropriate account a fee for the definedselected coverage type having the selected coverage amount.
 10. Thesystem of claim 9, wherein the software means includes optionality forindependently selecting one of the selected coverage types and includesoptionality for selecting any combination of the selected coveragetypes.
 11. The system of claim 10, wherein the software means includesoptionality for selecting a number of different coverage amounts fromwithin the selected coverage types.
 12. The system of claim 11, whereinthe software means includes optionality for selecting different coveragetypes and different coverage amounts for a number of subsets of theelectronic transmission of the data set, the streaming data, and/or theelectronic documents.
 13. The system of claim 9, wherein the softwaremeans is further operable for securing the electronic transmission ofthe data set, the streaming data, and/or the electronic document. 14.The system of claim 12, wherein securing the electronic transmission ofthe data set, the streaming data, and/or the electronic documentincludes performing a duplication and replication function on the dataset, the streaming data, and/or the electronic document within thesystem.
 15. The system of claim 9, wherein the software means is furtheroperable for providing a delivery verification of the electronic dataset, streaming data, and/or document to the first remote client.
 16. Thesystem of claim 9, wherein the selected coverage type and the selectedcoverage amount for the transmission of the electronic data set, thestreaming data set, and/or the electronic document are defined in abusiness rules data structure within the system, and wherein thebusiness rules data structure is transparent to a user at the firstremote client.
 17. The system of claim 9, wherein the system includes acomputer readable medium and the software means includes computerexecutable instructions.
 18. A system for transmitting data over acommunications network including the Internet, comprising: a server; anumber of remote clients coupled to the server over the communicationsnetwork; and software means operative on the server and the remoteclient for: enabling a user at a first remote client to transmit anelectronic data set, a streaming data set, and/or an electronic documentfrom the first remote client to one or more second remote clients,wherein a transmission of the electronic data set, the streaming dataset, and/or the electronic document includes an insured transmissionmechanism defining a selected coverage type and a selected coverageamount for the transmission, wherein the selected coverage type includesinsuring the transmission, bonding the transmission, and/or underwritingthe transmission; logging the transmission in a database having alogging data structure and coupled to the server; and charging anappropriate account a fee for the defined selected coverage type havingthe selected coverage amount.
 19. The system of claim 18, wherein thesystem further includes a database coupled to the server which has adata structure which tracks a number of client accounts for charging theappropriate account a fee for the defined selected coverage type and theselected coverage amount.
 20. The system of claim 18, wherein the systemfurther includes a database coupled to the server which has a datastructure which maintains a number of contractual relationships whichdefine a set of business rules for a transmission.
 21. The system ofclaim 20, wherein the set of business rules further define a coveragerelationship in which insuring, bonding, and/or underwriting functionsare optionably divided into a subset of categories.
 22. The system ofclaim 21, wherein the software means includes optionality for providinga select coverage rider when a transmission does not fall within apre-selected category.
 23. The system of claim 18, wherein the systemfurther includes a database coupled to the server which has a marketing,a product, and a sales management data structure for identifying,analyzing, and tracking prospective use of the system.
 24. The system ofclaim 18, wherein the system further includes a database coupled to theserver which has a financial data structure for tracking a number ofbusiness processes associated with insuring, bonding, and/orunderwriting a transmission.
 25. The system of claim 18, wherein thesoftware means further includes at least one program module or componentcoupled to the server for creating and populating a contractualrelationship database for a user of the system.
 26. The system of claim18, wherein the system further includes a database coupled to the serverwhich has client policy management data structure.